I got my hair trimmed for the very first time!!!!

So this past weekend I got a trim for free!!! Let me tell you, scissors have not touched my hair since my big chop and that has been 9 months now. My hair truly needed a trim but I was afraid of someone doing it and not knowing what they were doing but let me tell you, I was blessed to meet a lady who knew what she was doing. I had to ask her what steps she would take to trim my hair. And she said the obvious... "I won't cut off too much, just the split ends" I was thinking in my head like everybody said that. And then she said what I was looking for, that she would wet my hair first before she combed it. I knew right then that I was about to get my hair trimmed. Well I got it trimmed in someones kitchen (never did that before but I was at a like a women's retreat). Man, my hair feels so different from the trim! It feels amazing!!!!! Its soft and healthy and everything!!!! I had to apologize to my hair for waiting so long to get it trimmed. I will faithfully trim my hair every 3 months because it looks and feels so healthy!!!!!!!

Starting the Hair Challenge today!!!!

Here are the rules for the hair challenge that I am participating in:

I will be doing this from Nov 1- Jan 1 (I hope I can stick to it lol)

1. Wear protective styles
-I will be wearing twists and twist outs, I might do nubian twists if I can find someone to do them for me lol

2. Water
-will be drinking at least 32oz a day
-need hair to be healthy inside and out

3. Moisturize ends daily
-trying to figure out how I can moisturize my ends so if you have any advice let me know

4. No heat
-if I do use heat it will only be for once a month

5. Stick to my routine
-no more buying new products
-this will be a struggle for me but I know I can do it and I will save some money :o)

I'm featured on a natural hair blog!!!! My first Hair Challenge

I am super excited!!!!! I am featured on a natural hair blog! Please check it out and let me know what you think: http://newlynatural.com/blog/?p=2448

Also I have decided to do a hair challenge. Here is the challenge that I will start on Nov. 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8OZ0yzRBqM

I am super busy in my life right now!!!! Midterms, papers, staff, meetings, and conferences. So I have to update you all on everything when I am free sometime this weekend. I will be in Nebraska this week!!!!! I am super excited!

I did a twist out yay!!!

My Worship is for real

My hardest struggle

So recently I have been worrying alot about EVERYTHING in my life. I think the root of this worrying is because this is my last year in grad school and I have to start the whole job search thing. I just get so nervous! Like I keep comparing my skills to others that are in my program and I feel as though I am not the best candidate. I have a lot to improve on w/my position and I just wish I can stop looking to the negative things and start seeing how I am good at my job and start improving on things (like the administration stuff). I am so blessed that I need to stop worrying and start putting it in my Father's hands.

I have started reading (only read chapter 1 so far but it is good) The power of a praying woman by Elizabeth George. I know for a fact once I improve my 1-1 time with the Lord and truly start getting serious with my prayer life then my whole life will start getting better and I will no doubt stop worrying. This morning the Lord gave me this verse that I need to truly memorize when I start worrying about my future:


Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I know for a fact that my Father will not let me fail as long as I am giving Him my WHOLE heart. So today is a new day and I starting my day right with putting my Father first and not worrying what will come.

8 months in the natural game :o)

So it has been 8 months since I did my big chop and I am loving every minute of it. Recently I have been debating what I should do with my hair for the winter weather because I do not want to do wash and go's when it is cold outside. So I did some twists on my hair.... Yes you have read right lol I DID MY OWN HAIR!!!!!! I was quite nervous when I started twisting my hair because I had no idea how it would come out but I think it came out alright. I think this is the style that I will try to keep up with for this winter. Gosh my hair has been growing alot and I can't wait till it gets to the point where my twists are long enough to style. Here are some pics of my new hair.... Let me know what you think!!!!

Been Slipping on my pimping!!!!

Well I haven't blogged in like forever and a day and I feel so horrible about it!!!! Gosh so much has been happening in my life that nowadays I just want to sit down and not do anything at all. But you know what that is just an excuse. Blogging truly allows me to stay sane, so lovely followers if you still read my blog...... I'M BACK :o)

I hope you are excited because I have so much to fill you in and also to encourage you and as well as myself. So I will for sure come back later today or tomorrow, so keep your eyes open for some new fun post from the RHDiva!!!!

But here is my fav song that I have on repeat...... Its how I feel my 'ship is with my Heavenly Father

Accessories make the outfit!

So I just got hip to this website Etsy Let me tell you it is amazing!!!!!!!

It is a website for people to sell their handmade items. I fell in love with it the minute I discovered the website.

I have found some shirts and dresses that are so adorable! But wait this is not the reason why I started this post lol. Just recently I found out that my friend designs and makes accessories!!!! Amazing, I know! In my opinion accessories truly make up the outfit. I mean come on, you know when you put on some FABULOUS earrings it just make you look so DIVA! Plus if you are rocking the natural look, you are always trying to find some earrings that will make your style even more WONDERFUL! Well my friend's work is DA BOMB! All of you have to check her work out. Not only does she do a great job but she is such a sweet heart. Check out her products here:

Sweet and Spicy

Tell me what you think!

Having a rough start..... But this got me pumped!

One of the reasons why I love Jill Scott!

New clothing site I found.

So I am trying to "enhance" my style. Recently I have been finding all types of plus size and natural hair blogs that I am loving. All of these blogs have introduce me to new worlds that I am embracing! I am so excited! I have so many choices of clothing stores and also hair products.

This site that I found was the one that helped me identify what body shape I was which is truly a life saver. IGIGI


On this site you can figure out what your body type is by answering some questions and it also gives you suggestions for clothes that you can wear and also clothes you shouldn't wear.



I believe you should check it out if you want to learn more about your body and even look at some of their clothes. In my opinion their clothes are for more of the sophisticated DIVA but if you are trying to step your GROWN WOMAN up then for sure check it out. Also be aware it is a little pricey but you might catch something in their sale section.

I highly suggest you go on this sight to understand your body type so when you do go shopping at a store you will know what types of clothing enhances your thickalicous curves.

If you are a FABULOUS FIGURE 8 like myself her are some tips the website has provided for us:


What to wear

• Ruffles or softly draped details over the bust and neckline
• Open collars, asymmetrical details, v-neck, or styles that expose the neckline
• Wide, empire waist belts to emphasis more on waistline
• Bottoms that are darker in color, a-line, or flared skirts

What not to wear

• Light colored tops paired with dark bottoms
• Styles with horizontal stripes, heavy pleating, ruffles, or extra details at the midsection
• High necklines
• Short length tops

Here is a video of a purple dress that I love!!!!!!

Love it..... Will always be my song

Deep condition w/Honey and olive oil

So I was trying to find a method that I could deep condition my hair with using the products I already have. If you are not aware I am a product junkie!!!!!!! I believe the reason why I am a product Junkie is because I want to find a product that makes my curls POP....

Any who, yesterday I decided to deep condition with honey and olive oil. First I shampooed my hair and then I add honey and olive oil and sat under the dryer for about 20 minutes then I washed my hair again and put conditioner on it....... Well today my curls are going crazy lol. Like they are real tight today especially in the back. So I am guessing my hair truly appreciated the little experiment I did yesterday.

So hopefully I can continue using the products I already have with my hair but I am always asking folks who have some beautiful curls what products they use...... I think I need to find some one who has the same hair type as me and then use some of the products they use to see if my hair likes it or not. But I know for one thing I am going to do this deep condition technique again!

Oh I am taking any suggestions as well!!!!

A F.A.T. Girl is tired of shopping at Lane Bryant.... I am bout to switch my style up!

That's right I'm F.A.T.- Fabulous and Thick! And I am frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!! I absolutely love to go shopping and puting different outfits together. But with my size its been kind of difficult for me to do this especially living in a Midwest town where the biggest thing is Walmart. I am not knocking Walmart or anything because I have seen quite a few cute things for thick divas at Walmart. But the Walmart near me does not have any cute choices for me. So I have to go shopping online to find some cute clothes for myself...... But that gets so freaking expensive and I have to wait such a long time.

Ok I kind of went off on a tangent but anyways back to my real frustration. I went to Lane Bryant the other day because I needed a some new jeans. And I decided to splurge a little on myself while I was there. So this is how I shop: I walk into the store walk around a little and look at everything. If something stands out I grab and it and try it on. Well yesterday was truly interesting. I went into LB and was walking around and everything in there was not my style at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was all clothes that would make me look way older than what I am. I mean dang I already look older because of my weight so I am not trying to put on clothes that would add more years to me. There were 2 things (yes only 2) that I would actually buy. That is just sad!!!!!!!!!!! I am not going to say that I am giving up on LB but I have decided to take a step back from it. Not only is it expensive but it really doesn't have a variety of choices for a 20 something DIVA like myself.

I have started "researching" different stores, boutiques, and things that are geared to Thick ladies like myself and I am so happy that I did. I realized there are other choices for myself other than Old Navy, Lane Bryant, and Torrid. I am about to go on an online shopping spree when I get paid. Now that I know my body shape, I can start buying different clothes that will look FABULOUS on my body!!!!!!


Sidenote: So last night I sent my exboyfriend a text apologizing for any hurt I caused him while we were together. I have no idea why I did this but I kind of wish that I didn't. Don't you hate that?! When you do something and then later you wish you hadn't. Well anyways he sent me a text back today and said something (I choose not to read it lol) But I sent another one back telling him that he doesn't have to worry about hearing from me again and I wished him and his girl well. Ugh, I just wish I could just delete his number from my mind. I just don't understand why I am always lingering onto the past knowing that I am so much better than that. I truly think God is testing me on my contentment of being single and right now I am failing horribly!!!!!!!! I really need to take the time out and break all the soul ties that have in my life because they are not helping me to love Jesus w/all of my heart. They are just really holding me back........ I am praying about all of this and I know God will allow me to have a breakthrough in this situation.

Beautiful Flower

We are all beautiful!!!!

I am not my hair!

So my friend did my hair last night, because I told her I was getting tired of my TWA. She gave me some coils!!!! Tell me if you like them or not. I think it makes me look mature!!!! I am rocking my Mary Kay make up so I feel oh so Diva at work lol. Really can't see them (sorry about that).

I know my body shape!!!! Finally!

So I am starting to appreciate my thickalicousness to the next level. All through my life I have struggled with my weight and accepting that I was FABULOUS no matter what my pant size or scale said.



With this new chapter in my life, I am learning to love everything about myself. Being the "Diva" that I am, I just love fashion!!!! I love feeling good and looking good but I get so frustrated when I try to find some fly clothes. It has been hard for me for real!!!!! I am short, big chest, big stomach, big thighs, and a HUGE butt!!!!! So when I shop most of the time things would be to long for me or just wouldn't look right because of my stomach. There have been plenty of times that I cried in dressing rooms.



You know what?! No more tears are going to be shed when I am looking for my outfits!!!!!!! I have finally found what body type/shape I am!!!!!!!!!!!



I am a FIGURE 8 SHAPED DIVA!

Here is a little information about figure 8 body types taken from IGIGI:

Figure Eight Shape...

Outshining your hourglass shaped sister? Your body silhouette is amazingly curvaceous and not only do you share similar qualities as the hourglass, you also have the diamond, triangle, rectangle, oval, and inverted triangle infused into your unique shape. Your shoulders line up nicely with your overall silhouette and your voluptuous cleavage is one of your great assets. The definition in your waist is visible; however, you may have issues with your "love handles" and front bulge of your tummy area. Like the oval shape, the fullness is evenly distributed throughout your body. Also, the upper parts of your arms tend to be fuller while the lower parts of your arms are slender. Overall, you have great proportion to your body! Embrace your curves and work with what you've got! There are a lot trendy styles available that accentuate and complement your figure well. Take this information, shop for the right stuff, and strut your sassy figure eight shape.

Don't Even Know lol

So I wanted to write a new blog but I didn't know what to name it lol. Anyways, I wanted to share with you all some things that people have told me these past couple of weeks that I thought was interesting..................



So I have been/WAS talking to this guy for a minute kind of.... It was to the point where he told me I was wifey material (ladies just because he say this doesn't mean anything at all because I have had PLENTY of boys tell me I was wifey but I am still single because NONE of them was husband material through my eyes and God's).



Ok back to the story: So I told ole boy that I cut all of my hair off and have been natural for about 4 months. He said he was curious to see how I look now, so I sent him a picture (this is where everything went down hill lol). So asked him to be honest about what he thought about my picture. He said it was "different and it is something to get use to" Ok cool I understand that but he kept going!!!!! He gonna tel me "Don't worry your hair will grow back" EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!! I am not worried whether or not my hair is going to grow back, I mean it will be nice for my hair to grow back but right now I am embracing my natural beauty, the beauty that God has blessed me with! If I am suppose to be wifey shouldn't you appreciate me outside and in no matter what?!



I just don't understand why society is so on the way people look. We are so quick to judge one another based on our looks then anything else. I mean the most "fly" person in the world can have a horrible attitude/personality but you rather be with that person because they have sex appeal?! All I have to say is "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)



Ok so the other day I met this girl who seemed really cool and everything. She came by the halls to say goodbye to all of her friends before she left for Turkey to go teach. I was interested in her teaching job that she got in Turkey (cause you know I am trying to move abroad and work some day). She was saying how good this job was how they were paying for her flight and if she didn't like it they would fly her back to the US for free and all this other stuff. I was thinking wow this is the job! So I asked her how did she find out about this amazing opportunity. Why in the world this girl told me that she found it on CRAIG'S LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man when she told me that I just pray that I didn't have a look on my face because in my mind I was thinking that she was crazy!!!!!! Why in the world would you fly across the world to a job that you don't know that much about that you found on freaking Craig's list. Well I'm going to pray for her because who knows what she has gotten herself into.

Now this is my last crazy/random story that I have for you all. So as all of you know I am natural and loving every minute of it. Right now my hair is so short that I cannot do any styles to it but a TWA. So sometimes I get bored with my hair. So I have been looking for products that will enhance my natural curls so they can POP! Well yesterday I went to bible study and met this girl who was natural as well and her curls were POPPING!!!! So I asked her what products could I use to enhance my curls (and this girl does hair so I was thinking she would know what she is talking about). Why did she tell me to put a perm in my head for a little bit and to loosen up my curls?! I AM NOT PUTTING ANY PERMS IN MY HEAD! If I wanted to do all of that, why did I cut my hair. She gave me another product to use but I highly doubt I'm gonna use that. Goodness I am turning away from chemicals, not welcoming them back into my beautiful hair. So I guess I will continue to rock my TWA until further notice lol

Do you love MARY KAY?! Well I am a consultant now!

Just letting all my fabulous followers out there know that I am now a Mary Kay consultant. So if you are looking for someone to place your orders, schedule facial parties for you and your friends, or just want to play around with some make up LOOK ME UP!!!!

I would love to help you to embrace your inner DIVA by providing some helpful tips about skin care,make up, and just making you feel FABULOUS!

I believe this is another opportunity for me to touch other people's lives and also to help me to build more confidence and encouragement for myself.

To all the men out there don't be afraid to contact me either! I would love to do a men's facial class with our men's products.

If you want to look at our products, do a virtual makeover, or place an order go to my website at www.marykay.com/hshepherd176

Essence of a Black Woman

You can see the essence of a black woman when she walks into a room.
Her beauty is like a flower that blooms.
She doesn't need a man to be strong,
Because she remains a woman all on her own.
She overcomes challenges that stands in her way.
The inner strength she has gets her through the day.
She continues to triumph with elegance and grace.
While being a double jeopardy because of her sex and her race.
She is a goal oriented woman with style and confidence.
She never forgets where she comes from and for that she is blessed.
She has faith in God and not ashamed to acknowledge his presence in her life.
She can testify that without him she could never endure any sacrifice.
This black woman of beauty is the mother of all.
And for that we should be proud and stand tall.
Everyone around her can feel her presence.
For she is a Black woman of essence.
~ Kathy L. Martin